Countries Affected

Colombia

Colombia is one of the major coffee producers in the world. In fact, almost 50% of the whole coffee production comes from Brazil and Colombia alone. Unfortunately, this country also suffers from the devastating results of the coffee rust epidemic.

In 1983, the first report of coffee rust in Colombia was reported. It was after other Latin American countries like Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Mexico noted their first coffee rust citations.

Hundreds of coffee farmers lost their jobs. The production of coffee was highly affected. They lost 30 to 50% of their coffee production in the 1900s. Both huge coffee plantations and small scale farmers spent hundreds of dollars for fungicides that can minimize the harmful effects of the coffee rust fungi.

Learn about the 'Roya' (coffee rust) devastating impact as you listen to Marie from Naturalba, an Organic Coffee Producer and 'Beneficio' in Costa Rica.